Bus Shelter Disappears In Whalan - We Seek Answers!

Last weekend Anne, Vice-President of Mount  Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc. contacted myself and notified of the missing 'Bus Stop' at the corner of Waikanda Crescent and Luxford Roads Whalan.

This  is not the first time people of Mount Druitt have been taken away certain  Bus Shelter within the area of Mount Druitt ( refer to previous blogs).

Here is the previous blog on the bus stop at the corner of Waikanda Crescent and Luxford Roads Whalan:

http://mountdruittcommuters.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/bus-stop-2770194-needs-concrete-slab-to.html

And here are 2 ladies on last Sunday, using the shade of the tree 20-30 minutes up the road, whilst Blacktown City Council and Busways removed the shelter for no reason!

Click Here The Missing Bus Stop Video

Also find a video, where there is a young mother and her young baby, unable to shade the shade of the bus shelter and an elderly lady who can't sit down, standing with a cane, painfully.

And here is 2 ladies using the shade of the tree about 20 - 30 metres away from  where the bus stop is(they are in the  middle of the photo). This was an extremely hot day.

We do not want people to suffer when there  a bus shelter required and then removed.

Check Out How A Bus Shelter Is Removed - It Took Minutes!

Mount Druitt is having a change of face with bus shelters- the old expression 'Out with the Old - In with the new!'

Opposite the Mount Druitt Train Station - at Mount Druitt South - here is the video that shows you how bus stops are removed;

And then I had seen the new Bus Shelter ready to be installed!

Bus Shelter Long Wait ... Bus Stop Number 2770244.....!

We refer to  the original blog that we placed on 22nd January, this year regarding replacing a bus shelter on Bus Stop Number  277244 and another suggestion ( not accepted as yet).

Here is the original blog - click here:
http://mountdruittcommuters.blogspot.com/2011/01/proposal-for-bus-stop-bulolo-drive.html

We can now report there is a bus shelter now on this bus stop - I believe it has been there for over one month - this means  that with Bus Stop Infrastructure it takes a  short time to  destroy a bus shelter, yet a long waiting time to have a permanent seat waiting for your bus!  Here are the photo's for proof:

The only issue I have now is the graffiti

 culprits attacked straight away?

Questions On Removed Bus Stop - Whalan Shops Bus Stop 2770149

Here is an e-mail from a commuter who still has issues with Bus Stop Number 2770149, I have referred this to Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson to find out from Blacktown City Council:


To: mountdruitt_cig@hotmail.com
Subject: Whalan Bus stop Bulolo Drive
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:40:52 +1000

Hi to all,

Can somebody please find out why the Bulolo Drive bus stop that was originally near Banaro Avenue has been changed to outside Whalan Shops.

I was told that the reason they took down the bus shelter at the old bus stop was for safety reasons.  If that is the case why was it moved to it's present position.

Why don't they just use the original site and erect a "see through" bus shelter.

The new stop at the shops is in a very strange place - the buses have to drive over a speed hump and the turn straight in to the bus stop and if the bus is travelling at even a little bit of speed it makes it quite dangerous for anyone alighting from the bus, especially the older generation.

Also there is no concrete to step onto only dirt  and when it rains it is extremely muddy and slippery.

Can we please find out why we can't have the original stop back.

Regards

Carol 

Bus Stop 2770194 Needs Concrete Slab To Make It More Accessible To Commuters

Today, I spoke  to Ken from Whalan and his pet hate issue is Blacktown City Council recently patching concrete slab block on Luxford Road near Waikanda Crescent, Whalan (Bus Stop number 2770194), leaving the front of the bus stop, inaccessible for the needy commuters.

It appears that it doesn't fit Standards  for accessibility - and this is one thing that Blacktown Council spokesperson  has stated to me is extremely important. So what is suggested here is a concrete slab to be placed to provide better access to the disabled and aged commuters, in between the front of the bus stop and side of the kerb.

You will see  from the below photograph, what I mean and what Ken means. Where the dirt patch is, it gets muddy and tricky for commuters to board any buses bus.

NB: Check the new white slab in the not too far background!

We will refer this to Black City Council and we will provide a response to you - and then we will check other sheltered bus stops to check and provide our own audit of them.

Blacktown City Council Looking To Make Two Bus Stops Into One!

Although, we  have done a blog on this story in early January this year - I was sure that I sent an e-mail to the spokesperson at Blacktown City Council. It appears I haven't until now. I apologise entirely. I am human and know that I need to follow up these issues as soon as possible to get a better  transport community.

Today, I have received an an e-nail from Blacktown City Council spokesperson advising that they will be looking into it. I hope that commuters appreciate what we are doing!!!!

Traditional Bus Stop In Emerton, Mount Druitt

This is a traditional bus stop bus stop number (2770275), that I have spotted, while looking at the bus top, I had taken a photo and now.                                                                                                              If you should be interested is seeing this type of stop around Blacktown GA, to let us know.

Imagine If Mount Druiitt Could Have Bus Stops Like Chatswood?

Here is a blog that shows  you bus stops that maybe we can push for to make seating arrangement comfortable for all bus commuters. It is below!

Enjoy it or should we say like Henry Wrinkler used to say in 'Happy Days' - "Sit On it!


I am still imagining!!!! Aren't you?

Bus Stop Shelters - Info From Blacktown City Council

A  transport spokesperson from Blacktown City Council has advised that the funding and construction of 12 bus within the Blacktown City Local Government Area has commenced and is on its way to be constructed and completed soon -  I believe with a bit of luck we will be able to supply you with the bus stop areas and bus stop numbers.

I now  to discuss bus stop  news that was provided to me today and that is  the average cost for to construct a bus stop shelter is approximately $12,000 each. In Blacktown City Council Local Government Area as of 11/1/2011 - letter received from Mayor of Blacktown bus stop numbers total 1675. From this figure, 34 percent (565), of these are represented within Mount Druitt suburbs and 34 percent of these bus tops are sheltered (192).  So  one out three bus stops are sheltered - we will see whether this is correct.

We can now see that funding for bus stops is not cheap as it involved fixing curbs and footpaths, it is access-able to all commuters,  not leaving it  disadvantaged to anyone.

For further information have a look at NSW bus stop Infrastructure completed by WSCF:
click here: http://www.wscf.org.au/uploads/2011uploads/Transport/Bus%20Stop%20Infrastructure.pdf

Bus Stop Number 2770149 - Whalan Shops Commuters Need A Bus Shelter!

I have spoken to a show owner in Whalan Shops as well of a few commuters and they believe that a bus shelter is required  at the new positioned Whalan Shops   Bus Stop Number 2770149 - We will lobby relevant Transport Stake Holders and  get a response for you - if we need to get a petition I believe that we will get at least 500 - 600 petitioners

On a funnier note it was advised that the large boulder rocks behind the bus stop can be cut to make a bench and table at the bus stop as well as a shaded area:

News! News! Whalan Shops Has Re-situated New Bus Stop!

This is the old hot spot bus stop and Gone!

New Bus stop and another community member called John  and  day time with the Whalan shops behind.

By mid year I would have lived in in this area for just on 21 years. In this time, I never said a word to anyone bout this, yet I knew in my heart that the way the bus stops were structured in Whalan shops, Mount Druitt was odd.

That is, I would every hear commuters saying to bus drivers, 'Going to Whalan shops'! That was good but when you exit/leave on a bus from Mount Druitt Interchange heading towards Whalan Shops, you actually pass Whalan shops by about 70-100 metres. For me it was all good as I live closer to the former bus stop opposite Ellengowan Crescent & on the corner of Bulolo Drive, Whalan. Yet I always wondered why would any politician and bureaucrats place a bus stop away from a commercial small shopping center? Being that said, congratulations goes to the stake holders of our local transport area, who have made the correct decision is moving the old bus stop and placing in front of Whalan shops, in the middle of island where the boulders of rock are. I hope it remains there and never moved.

In saying this, we now need to have a bus shelter put in place of the new bus stop! We have noted that the bus shelter was pulled down immediately, so let's see if the new bus shelter is replaced immediately!

I Know My Bus Stop Number! Do You Know Your Bus Stop Number!

All bus stops in Sydney are now numbered. What a job! How can this be done?

Well it is all based on suburban postcode and then numbered bus stops. Yes that simple! Transport NSW are on a day to day basis looking at improvement for commuters in all forms of public transport.This creative idea I give my full support and would like to promote to all Mount Druitt and surrounding communities.

I now know my bus stop number which is 2770243 when going to work and coming back is 2770149 on the 755 Busways bus route. Here is now you can find your own bus stop number - using mine as an example, click here:
1.  http://www.131500.com.au/
2.  Underneath 'Bus time tables'  click on 'More timetable options'
3.  Go to 'Street/Stop' and type in  your street name (in his case Bulolo Drive and Elengowan Crescent  
     Whalan) and 'Enter'
4.  You then locate you bus stop number  ( in this case it is \Bulolo Drive -opposite Whalan Shops) 2770243

Further searching: next  bus arrival:
5.  Click on the highlighted bus stop name: Bulolo Dr (Opp.Whalan Shops)
6. And you reach the following brief results (on relevant information supplied):

Departure times search results

Trips From:

Bulolo Dr (Opp.Whalan Shops) (2770243):

Route 755 - going to Mt Druitt Rail Stn (Stand 2), Mount Druitt from 2770243

8:51am   9:51am   10:51am   11:51am   12:51pm   1:51pm   2:51pm   3:51pm   4:51pm

7. Then if you  click on the next available time service for that bus stop - this is what you get: a list of bus

     stop from the beginning of the route and the arrival time reaching stand 2 at Mount Druitt Interchange at

    8.59am, also shows other bus stop numbers along the route. If you expand the timing point you will see

    extended bus stops and whether the bus stop is an actual accessible bus stop. You can also check on next

     trip.

Once you start to know your bus stop number by heart you will be able to place your bus stop number (for example 2770243 in step 3 on the above process instead of placing your street name. So now what do you think? Why does it need to be numbered ?

Many reasons: should you feel that your bus stop needs to be upgraded to a sheltered bus stop, if it has been vandalised, if the bus shelter has been removed and needs to be replaced due to and accident and it is a required shelter, it can be used for possible complaints of late or too early services, removal of graffiti, checking of time tables, later on "SM'S" for latest update of services and the list goes on. This is a definite improvement for the community.

What it is proposed to do, is you can dial 131500 then 1 then 1 and add your bus stop number it will advise you of next available bus service(s)  from your bus stop as a recorded message on your phone, even mobile phone if you are at the bus stop.  Not all areas are doing this yet but this will be updated in due time! What a technology we are getting!

As yet not all bus stops have been physically numbered -  this will be up to Blacktown City Council and bus operators to comply with with the support of transport New South Wales - let ask them to comply with this as soon as possible.

This Is the Bus Stop Where It All Started: Corner Of Ellengowan Crescent And Bulolo Drive Whalan - To Me This Is A Historical Bus Stop!

Yes, that's right this is where it all happened unbeknown to myself. What I mean, This is is where i spoke to one senior lady in the community - never before and suddenly it was like she lit a mtach that blew up colorful fireworks for our transport around our area. I do not regret anything  I have done or haven't done and  wholeheartedly would do it again it history was to be repeated - see the wonderful bus stop as it is:

Proposal For Bus Stop - Bulolo Drive & Luxford Road Whalan

I have  produced a video - which you will see bus tops may be placed in awkward spots and where 2 bus services  connect - previously there was 2 bus stops -(one sheltered one). Due to a 18 year old youth crashing into the bus shelter a month or two - there has been no replace bus shelter. Now there is no sheltered bus stop in this corner.

Due to the medical  surgery on the corner -  commuters will need it to catch the 755 bus to Mount Druitt. My proposal will be a simplified way of waiting for 2  buses on one bus stop! This would definitely improve service on the 755.The Electricity pole on the left hand side of the video ( in the beginning), is the 780 bus stop. Sometimes there 3-4  commuters waiting for the bus. Watch the video and see if you agree?

Videos of New Bus Stops along Carlisle Avenue, Mount Druitt

We provide some real video footage, some videos of how the new bus stops are looking along Carlisle Avenue, Mount Druitt. Great idea but still no buses in Bidwill Sundays and not much on Saturdays (above).

You will note that the new bus stop numbering system is being implemented and is self-explanatory!

These new bus stop signs are being trialled and if success full will be  all over Mount Druitt over a period of time. So any feedback would be appreciated!

Response From BCC Mayor - Alan Pendleton - Bustop Ratios Of Sheltered & Seated (unsheltered) Bus Stops Within Mount Druitt

This is fantastic news that we are  getting a reasonably quick response from the mayor of Blacktown City Council regarding the ratio of sheltered, seated bus stops. We thank the Mayor Pendleton for responding and providing fantastic figures that is within the Mount Druitt suburbs and surrounding:

Firstly here is the original e-mail sent to the mayor of Blacktown City Council:

From: mountdruitt_cig@hotmail.com
To: alan.pendleton@blacktown.nsw.gov.au
Subject: Bus Shelters
Date: Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:01:37 +1100

Dear Mr Alan Pendleton,
Mayor Blacktown City Council,

We are writing to you in relation to an understanding of what is Blacktown's City Council's policy is in relation to ratio's of sheltered bus stops to seated (unsheltered) bus stops to the overall amount of bus stops that are withing the Black City Council Boundaries. Our Special interest is within Mount Druitt.

On behalf of our group, we also understand that Federal/State funds have been provided to Blacktown City Council this year for new bus stops - can you provide a further update on this matter to us as soon as possible.

Please note our group is a new Transport lobby group within Mount Druitt and we are looking towards improving transport for all commuters in and around Mount Druitt. We were formerly called 'Save Our Bus Services, Mount Druitt And Surrounding Suburbs'.

Your feedback would be very much appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

John Svoboda
Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group
Web address: http://mountdruittcommuters.blogspot.com/


The general response from the mayor dated today was pretty informative. Claims The total Blacktown LGA (lLocal Goverment Area), has 1675 bus stops. Suburbs classified under Mount Druitt have 565 bus stops, Bidwill, Blackett, Dean Park, Dharruk, Emerton, Eastern Creek, Glendinning, Hassall Grove, Hebersham, Lethbridge Park,Minchinbury. Mount Druitt, Oakhurst, Rooty Hill, Plumpton, Shalvey, Shanes Park, Tregear,Walgrove, Whalan and Willmot.

We have been advised that 34 percent of bus stops are sheltered to seated (unsheltered). So since Mount Druitt has 21 suburbs ( based on on supplied BCC information) that means that on average each suburb has 26.9 bus stops, leaving 9.1 bus stops are sheltered completed to seated (unsheltered). For a bus stop to be considered sheltered, involves investigation of each site on its own merit under a selection criteria, which includes patronage, potential use of the  bus shelter and determination of  a need for bus shelter.It then will be listed for funding in Council's Future Works Improvement Programmes.

Also from Federal/State grants  for reallocation of bus stops due to reorganisation of bus services in 6 sites around Mount Druitt:
1) Yarramundi Drive, Dean Park
2) Sherbrooke Street, Rooty Hill
3) Jersey Road, Plumpton
4 & 5) Emerson Street, Shavley
6) Palmyra Avenue, Willmot

Well after all that I more of a learned man. Yes there are suburbs I wouldn't consider to be in Mount Druitt - but that is alright!

 Now we understand a little of the process if a commuter/community member would like to have a sheltered bus stop, what can be done to get it, if you have reasonably good patronage. I suppose if one patron gets on the same bus stop all day compared to 10-12 on one other bus stop per day - you can work out which one deserves the  bus shelter.

We also understand that there may some bus stops that may require bus shelters and will assist commuters in assisting them in whatever way to try to get their bus stop, as long as it is reasonable.

You may also check our previous story  on the same subject:http://mountdruittcommuters.blogspot.com/2011/01/we-need-to-know-bus-stop-shelter-real.html

We Need To Know Bus Stop Shelter Real Ratios!

In Western Sydney alone there are over 10,000 bus tops - I could not name each and every one of them nor determine where they are! Yet if we were to lookaround the area of Mount Druitt (Pending the boundaries wthat you claim is Mount Druitt), you may find there would be approximately 800-1000 bus stops. This is  a very rough estimate and maybe out in our community someone might have better and most up-to-date figures.

Now if we look at the lower estimated figure of 800 -  we can now ask ourselves how many of these bus stops are covered (sheltered) stops and then seated bus stops only. My estimate is we might be lucky to reach twenty percent. Maybe my estimate is wrong. When all our bus tops are technically all numbered in the future then we might be able to get a statistic as to the answers to sheltered and seated bus stops.

I look at it this way if there is anywhere between 4-5 commuters waiting for a bus - then this is where a sheltered bus stop should be built. What I don't understand is where is there policy put in place for sheltered bus stops  as opposed to unsheltered bus tops - what is the  real ratio!

After speaking to one of the bus operaters, advice given to us is that this is left with the local councils as their responsibility. After speaking to one of the Council operaters this is done with the approval on New South Wales Transport - So we will clarify who does what and what does who?